Group pushes to include gays, lesbians in anti-discrimination laws

Missouri, Kansas laws lack basic protection

As the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, a group in Missouri lobbied for rights even more basic than marriage. They protested anti-discrimination laws in Kansas and Missouri that don't protect gays and lesbians.

Throughout the same-sex marriage debate, people in the Kansas City-area LGBT community said they wanted attention on the issue of discrimination.

At an event at AMC Theaters Studio 30 in Olathe, the crowd celebrated metro-area companies that welcome employees regardless of their sexual orientations.

"I mean, we show all different kinds of movies. It doesn't make any sense that we wouldn't be inclusive of all different kinds of people," said Keith Wiedenkeller of AMC Theaters.

"These are companies even tonight that say, 'No. We will not tolerate discrimination based on sexual orientation,'" said Angie Cottrell of the Human Rights Campaign. "(They're) definitely going above and beyond. These are policies that they're not required to have."

Earlier Wednesday, a group gathered at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City to rally for anti-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation.

Under current laws in Missouri and Kansas, gays and lesbians have no legal protection from discrimination at work or home

"We have a lot of surprising situations like that, where you can be fired or landlords don't have to rent to you," said Char Daniels. Last year, she opened LikeMe Lighthouse with the help of her niece, country music star Chely Wright.

At the LGBT Community Center, Daniels said she regularly talks to people who have been discriminated against.

"I see signs of it all the time that we're on the beginning of a really big wave," she said.

KMBC 9's Cliff Judy said he couldn't find anyone willing to say on camera that they approve of discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Mo. Rep. Kevin Engler, a Republican who sponsored the state's same-sex marriage ban in 2004 said he supports the idea of including sexual orientation in the state's anti-discrimination laws. He said it hasn't passed because he thinks his colleagues are afraid voters will confuse it with gay marriage and will vote them out of office.

About a dozen cities in Missouri have adopted laws to protect gays and lesbians from discrimination. Lawrence is the only city in Kansas to do so.